WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators and Foreign Relations Committee members Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) released the following statement after this week’s elections in South Africa.

“As members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we commend South Africa's citizens, political parties, and Electoral Commission for together ensuring a successful national election,” the Senators said. “We congratulate the parties that enjoyed electoral success and the African National Congress for achieving a National Assembly majority. Despite facing challenges, South Africa continues to be a beacon for democracy on the African continent 25 years after Nelson Mandela took office, marking the end of the apartheid system of racial discrimination. We look forward to working with President Ramaphosa's administration to advance our shared ideals and policy goals, strengthen the U.S-South African relationship, and deepen our mutually beneficial bilateral trade and investment ties.”